The onset of nausea and vomiting signals a malfunction in the child's body, but they are usually protective reactions, helping to get rid of harmful substances or bacteria. Most often, when vomiting, partially digested food is released, which the child ate shortly before the onset of the symptom. It may also contain various impurities, such as bile. Why is it possible for bile to enter the vomit and how to help the baby with vomiting of bile?
What does it look like?
The secretion of bile with vomit gives them a yellowish or greenish color. The contents of the stomach are thrown out through the mouth due to a sharp contraction of the muscles of the diaphragm, the stomach itself and the abdominal wall.
Before the onset of vomiting, the child usually feels an attack of nausea, turns pale, he may have chills. The more episodes of vomiting in a child, the more it weakens and the higher the risk of developing dehydration.
Possible reasons
Most often, vomiting of bile is a symptom of food poisoning or other diseases of the digestive tract, causing repeated bouts of vomiting. Often, other symptoms of gastrointestinal tract damage are added to such vomiting - diarrhea, severe pain in the abdomen, chills, fever.
The causes of vomiting, in which bile impurities are determined, are called:
- Intestinal infection.
- Diseases of the gallbladder.
- Pylorospasm.
- Acute appendicitis.
- Biliary colic.
- Intestinal obstruction.
- Food poisoning.
- Congenital narrowing of the upper digestive tract.
- Renal colic.
- Vascular thrombosis in the intestine.
- Brain lesions.
Among the non-dangerous factors that cause the throwing of bile into the child's stomach and its excretion with vomit, one can name mental overload, active games, the use of very fatty and spicy foods. In such cases, vomiting often happens once or twice, and the general condition of the child is almost not disturbed.
Should I call a doctor?
Since the appearance of vomiting with impurities of bile can be a sign of a rather serious illness, a call to a doctor is recommended in all cases of such a symptom in childhood.
It is especially urgent to call a doctor in such situations:
- The child complains of severe abdominal pain.
- The baby has a high temperature.
- The child has multiple vomiting and diarrhea has joined it.
- The child has eaten spoiled food or has taken any medication before vomiting.
- You have noticed signs of dehydration in your child.
First aid
- First of all, parents should calm down themselves and calm down the child, as episodes of vomiting are always alarming. You need to call a doctor and wait for him, not leaving the baby for a minute.
- To prevent the contents of the digestive tract from entering the baby's respiratory system, make sure that the baby does not lie on his back. The optimal position after vomiting is upright. If the child is lying, turn his head to one side.
- It is important to start giving your child a drink right away to prevent dehydration. The best drinking option is considered to be solutions of glucose and salts, which are made from pharmacy powder preparations. You can also make similar solutions at home using sugar, baking soda and salt. Such solutions are given in small portions (one teaspoon) every five to ten minutes.
- No medication, especially antibiotics and antiemetic drugs, should be given before the doctor examines the baby.
Tips
If the child is an infant, he can continue to be fed with his mother's milk or formula, and when vomiting appears, complementary foods are temporarily canceled.
It is not worth feeding older children in the period after vomiting with bile for some time (up to 5-6 hours), although most babies have a reduced appetite after such a symptom. As soon as the child recovers and asks for food, give him light food that is grated, such as rice porridge or vegetable puree. Read more in the article on the vomiting diet.
